A SINGER’S debut album has peaked above global star Ed Sheeran in a music chart.

Anna Pancaldi, whose career was almost destroyed before it started due to stage fright, saw Black Tears enter at number six in the iTunes singer-songwriter chart when it was released on Tuesday.

It also hit number 50 in the overall UK iTunes album chart onWednesday.

Anna, 25, who grew up in Colchester, said: “It has just been really surreal.

“I have spent an incredibly long time waiting for this moment.

“I have taken my time with this first release and it is just so exciting and quite unbelievable.

“When I put it out there I didn’t expect to chart as I’m still unsigned and unmanaged.”

From the age of eight, Anna’s family and teachers believed she had something special in her voice and encouraged her to perform.

A string of school plays and concerts led to Anna entering a singing competition.

But, up on stage, she froze with fear and found the words wouldn’t come.

The family moved from Colchester to South Africa with her father’s work when she was 12.

On returning to England three years later, she successfully auditioned for a music course at Colchester Institute and committed to singing at every opportunity, determined to overcome her fear.

After college, Anna went travelling for nine months, began writing songs and got a slot performing in a bar in New Zealand.

Buoyed by her new-found confidence and the reception to her own material, Anna carried on through Hong Kong, South Africa, South America and the US.